MEDIA RELEASE PR36192
Epidemic of Osteoporotic Fractures to Hit Asia
BEIJING, Sept. 22 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
- New Report Shows Alarming Rise in Fractures, Causing Widespread
Suffering and Disability
A new audit report issued by the International Osteoporosis Foundation
(IOF) shows that osteoporosis is a serious and growing problem throughout
Asia.
Gathering data from 14 Asian countries, regions and
territories, it is a landmark report examining epidemiology, burden and costs
in individual countries as well as collectively across Asia. The report
concludes that hip fracture incidence has risen 2-to 3-fold in most Asian
countries over the past 30 years. Furthermore, it is expected that due to
expanding and ageing populations, half of the world's fractures will occur in
Asia by 2050.
Increasing longevity, widespread vitamin D deficiency and low
calcium intake may be responsible for the alarming increase. Over the past
four decades the number of hip fractures increased by 300% in Hong Kong, and
by 500% in Singapore. In Japan the number of fractures in people over 75
increased dramatically over the span of 12 years. In mainland China, almost
70 million people over the age of 50 suffer from osteoporosis, resulting in
some 687,000 hip fractures per year. A cost explosion related to the
treatment of these fractures has been observed in these regions.
Despite the severity of the problem, osteoporosis is being dangerously
ignored as it competes with other diseases for scarce healthcare resources.
Prevention programs, which could help reduce the number of fractures, are
rare. Prevalence data is limited, and there is low awareness among doctors
and the public, with inadequate physician training and awareness efforts.
IOF urges immediate government action to prevent the rising tide of
fractures. These will have a profound socio-economic impact on millions of
people and communities throughout Asia. The burden will be especially severe
in many rural areas, where hip fracture patients are often treated
conservatively at home, without the benefit of surgery and rehabilitation.
The result: premature death for as many as one in five, immense personal
suffering, lost productivity and long-term dependence on family members.
The Asian Audit was supported by an unrestricted grant from Fonterra
About IOF
The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) is a nongovernmental
organization dedicated to the worldwide fight against osteoporosis. For more
For interviews with authors contact:
Victoria Monti
Mobile: +41-79-874-51-88
E-Mail: jstenmark@iofbonehealth.org
SOURCE: International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF)
Translations:
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